By Denise A. Valdez
THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and North Luzon Expressway Corp. (NLEx) are looking to open by October the NLEx Harbor Link Segment 10 connecting Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, to C3 road in Caloocan City.
After a progress inspection on Tuesday, DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar said more than 90% of the right of way for the 5.7-kilometer segment has already been acquired.
“In the past, this project faced many delays. But under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ (infrastructure project of the government), [attention was given to] Harbor Link and we can see the right of way issues were resolved quickly,” he said.
For his part, NLEx President Rodrigo E. Franco told reporters the remaining 10% in the right of way is still crucial.
Meanwhile, the 2.6-kilometer extension road from C3 in Caloocan City to R-10 in Dagat-Dagatan, Navotas City, is nearing completion in the fourth quarter of 2019.
The total Harbor Link Segment 10 linking Valenzuela City, Malabon City, Caloocan City and Navotas City is expected to accommodate 30,000 to 50,000 cars a day when it opens.
Mr. Villar said this is DPWH’s first “major blow” in solving Metro Manila traffic. “The cars that used to pass through C5, Metro Manila and Quezon City may now head straight to NLEx via the Harbor Link,” he said in Filipino. Mr. Franco, for his part, said using the Harbor Link will cut travel time to only 30 to 45 minutes.
NLEx is also targeting the construction of the NLEx connector road by the first quarter of 2019 or sooner, as it works on resolving right-of-way issues on affected properties.
The NLEx connector road is an 8-kilometer elevated road that will connect NLEx to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx).
DPWH also launched on Monday its “Jobs Jobs Jobs” online portal for work opportunities in the department. It said there are 11,063 infrastructure-related jobs available on the website as of opening day.
